BBQ Recommendations for St Louis, MO???

[tallbm]

Hey everyone.

I'll be making a trip soon to St Louis, MO and was looking for some serious no BS recommendations of BBQ places to try.
I'm expecting that St Louis Style ribs will likely be the big ticket item due to the name and location hahaha but any recommendations are appreciated.

Let me know what you got and thanks! :D

 

[Smokin Okie]

Never been there, but I hear and read a lot about pork steak. It seems to be a St Louis specialty. I think there's this place called Pappys.

 

[chopsaw]

I'll be making a trip soon to St Louis, MO and was looking for some serious no BS recommendations of BBQ places to try.

Are you going to be in the city itself , or the surrounding area ?

Pappy's
Salt & Smoke
Sugar Fire

The original locations are in the city limits , but they have expanded into the suburbs , and surrounding better area .
Pappy's is the one you here about , and see on some of the Food networks shows .
I've never eaten there myself , but hear it's legit .

I've had Salt and smoke catered at a wedding . Hard to form an opinion like that . I'd like to try it at a location .

Same with Sugar fire , catered at a party . I can say they have some of the best smoked turkey I've had .

Can buy the sauces off the shelf for all of them at most local grocery stores . Sugar fire and Salt & smoke have really good sauces .
Pappy's sauce I didn't care for .

They have a Pappy's in St. Peter's . About 40 minutes west of St. Louis .
In the same parking lot with Academy sports . That's where I get lumber jack pellets .

Salt and Smoke put a location on Main street St. Charles . Neat area . Cobblestone streets and all kinds of shops down there . Remote or street parking , then walk shop to shop , or stop in somewhere to eat .

Sugarfire has locations in St. Charles and Wentzville . That's all the same general area .
St. Charles county is across the river from St. Louis .

Pork steaks are definitely St. Louis , but you don't see them on menus like you would think .

Anyway , I don't really go out for BBQ . Pretty good eats right out my back door , lol .
I would say the ones I listed are worth a try . All have locations downtown , but it's not a bad drive to the other locations .

 

[Smokin Okie]

Steven Raichlen had the owner of Pappy's on one of his shows. I started grilling pork steak in a similar way.

https://www.pbs.org/video/episode-401-raichlen-grills-st-louis-8oqufq/

 

[chopsaw]

Steven Raichlen had the owner of Pappy's on one of his shows.

Yeah . I saw that one . Was down at Union Station .
I like to start with high heat , then dial it down after the first flip when doing pork steaks .

 

[tallbm]

Never been there, but I hear and read a lot about pork steak. It seems to be a St Louis specialty. I think there's this place called Pappys.

Thanks, pork steak for bbq was not even on my radar :D

Are you going to be in the city itself , or the surrounding area ?

Pappy's
Salt & Smoke
Sugar Fire

The original locations are in the city limits , but they have expanded into the suburbs , and surrounding better area .
Pappy's is the one you here about , and see on some of the Food networks shows .
I've never eaten there myself , but hear it's legit .

I've had Salt and smoke catered at a wedding . Hard to form an opinion like that . I'd like to try it at a location .

Same with Sugar fire , catered at a party . I can say they have some of the best smoked turkey I've had .

Can buy the sauces off the shelf for all of them at most local grocery stores . Sugar fire and Salt & smoke have really good sauces .
Pappy's sauce I didn't care for .

They have a Pappy's in St. Peter's . About 40 minutes west of St. Louis .
In the same parking lot with Academy sports . That's where I get lumber jack pellets .

Salt and Smoke put a location on Main street St. Charles . Neat area . Cobblestone streets and all kinds of shops down there . Remote or street parking , then walk shop to shop , or stop in somewhere to eat .

Sugarfire has locations in St. Charles and Wentzville . That's all the same general area .
St. Charles county is across the river from St. Louis .

Pork steaks are definitely St. Louis , but you don't see them on menus like you would think .

Anyway , I don't really go out for BBQ . Pretty good eats right out my back door , lol .
I would say the ones I listed are worth a try . All have locations downtown , but it's not a bad drive to the other locations .

I'll be staying in the Chesterfield area which is west of downtown St Louis by 20 min.

This is exactly the info I'm looking for!
We will be in St Charles at some point and maybe even a few times so it's good to know the 2 options there.

I hear ya on great bbq being at home :D

Steven Raichlen had the owner of Pappy's on one of his shows. I started grilling pork steak in a similar way.

https://www.pbs.org/video/episode-401-raichlen-grills-st-louis-8oqufq/

That's 3 folks for Pappy's so it will likely get checked out

 

[chopsaw]

I'll be staying in the Chesterfield area which is west of downtown St Louis by 20 min.

Oh yeah , know it well . Same basic area I live in . Chesterfield is on the St. Louis county side .
St. Charles , St. Peter's and O fallon are on the St. Charles county side . I'm in O fallon .

We hit Billy G's a couple times a year for breakfast .

Billy G’s Chesterfield | Let’s Eat! - Billy G's Chesterfield

billygs.com

We will be in St Charles at some point and maybe even a few times so it's good to know the 2 options there.

Hit Main Street St. Charles if your into shops and such , and have a few hours to spend . Plus Salt and smoke is down there , and also Hendricks BBQ .
Here's a link that has some good info .

St. Charles Historic Main Street | Local Shops & Restaurants

Once a stop for pioneers and adventurers, Main Street in St Charles, MO is now a Historic District with modern shopping, gourmet dining, and quality hotels.

www.discoverstcharles.com

I always hit this place when I go down there . My Daughter also teachers school down there .
She stops in and gets me stuff .

Home - Olde Town Spice Shoppe

We help you Make Life Delicious !

oldtownspices.com

folks for Pappy's so it will likely get checked out

The St. Peter's location is 5 minutes from me . I'm over there all the time and have never tried it . I think I'll stop next week and grab a sandwich .
Don't count out Sugar fire or Salt and Smoke .
There's 2 locations of SugarFire in St. Charles county .

Wanted to add :
Pappy's is supposed to have a really good beef hot link .

 

[912smoker]

I have read and hear good things about Slaps BBQ.

Keith

 

[KC Smoke]

"serious no BS recommendations"
I guess go west about 3.5 hours was too predictable.

 

[okie sawbones]

I have read and hear good things about Slaps BBQ.

Keith

KC

 

[912smoker]

KC

Opps yep

Keith

 

[912smoker]

"serious no BS recommendations"
I guess go west about 3.5 hours was too predictable.

Might have been predictable but not my intention. I'll study more

Keith

 

[tallbm]

Oh yeah , know it well . Same basic area I live in . Chesterfield is on the St. Louis county side .
St. Charles , St. Peter's and O fallon are on the St. Charles county side . I'm in O fallon .

We hit Billy G's a couple times a year for breakfast .

Billy G’s Chesterfield | Let’s Eat! - Billy G's Chesterfield

billygs.com

Hit Main Street St. Charles if your into shops and such , and have a few hours to spend . Plus Salt and smoke is down there , and also Hendricks BBQ .
Here's a link that has some good info .

St. Charles Historic Main Street | Local Shops & Restaurants

Once a stop for pioneers and adventurers, Main Street in St Charles, MO is now a Historic District with modern shopping, gourmet dining, and quality hotels.

www.discoverstcharles.com

I always hit this place when I go down there . My Daughter also teachers school down there .
She stops in and gets me stuff .

Home - Olde Town Spice Shoppe

We help you Make Life Delicious !

oldtownspices.com

The St. Peter's location is 5 minutes from me . I'm over there all the time and have never tried it . I think I'll stop next week and grab a sandwich .
Don't count out Sugar fire or Salt and Smoke .
There's 2 locations of SugarFire in St. Charles county .

Wanted to add :
Pappy's is supposed to have a really good beef hot link .

Thanks for all the info on the area! Yeah the ol lady wants to hit up St Charles which I bet has to do with shops and all the stuff you are talking about. At least I can double up on the BBQ joints when going there with her :D

"serious no BS recommendations"
I guess go west about 3.5 hours was too predictable.

Hahhahaa I did KC last year around this time. Here is the thread where I was trying places there: https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/looking-for-amazing-kansas-city-bbq-locations.327494/

Might have been predictable but not my intention. I'll study more

Keith

In that KC adventure last year (https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/looking-for-amazing-kansas-city-bbq-locations.327494/).
Slaps was probably the sure fire option where you can get anything from the place and it will be enjoyable but there were other places that had better this or that over Slaps.
So if I wanted 1 specific thing then I would go to the other place but if I wanted reliable variety then Slaps would be it :D

 

[bigfurmn]

I know BBQ is on the brain but don't forget the sandwich shops there. Was there a few years ago and I want to go back for the sandwiches not the BBQ. Off topic slightly I realize but I have to look up the name of the places I went, really good.

 

[912smoker]

Thanks for all the info on the area! Yeah the ol lady wants to hit up St Charles which I bet has to do with shops and all the stuff you are talking about. At least I can double up on the BBQ joints when going there with her :D



Hahhahaa I did KC last year around this time. Here is the thread where I was trying places there: https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/looking-for-amazing-kansas-city-bbq-locations.327494/




In that KC adventure last year (https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/looking-for-amazing-kansas-city-bbq-locations.327494/).
Slaps was probably the sure fire option where you can get anything from the place and it will be enjoyable but there were other places that had better this or that over Slaps.
So if I wanted 1 specific thing then I would go to the other place but if I wanted reliable variety then Slaps would be it :D

I remember and enjoyed reading your road trip review!

Keith

 

[Elf@shore]

Hey everyone.

I'll be making a trip soon to St Louis, MO and was looking for some serious no BS recommendations of BBQ places to try.
I'm expecting that St Louis Style ribs will likely be the big ticket item due to the name and location hahaha but any recommendations are appreciated.

Let me know what you got and thanks! :D

HI! FYI: I have a Friend on another Site that lives there. I reached out to get their Recomds ?
Will Forward what I find ?

 

[tallbm]

I know BBQ is on the brain but don't forget the sandwich shops there. Was there a few years ago and I want to go back for the sandwiches not the BBQ. Off topic slightly I realize but I have to look up the name of the places I went, really good.

Thanks for the info! I try to be keto but we'll see what happens on the trip :D

I remember and enjoyed reading your road trip review!

Keith

Ah thanks! I had a lot more time to try places out there. At least it sounds like 2 of the 3 main places are in St Charles and I will be around there a few times so I think hitting up 2 of 3 will be easier than expected :D

HI! FYI: I have a Friend on another Site that lives there. I reached out to get their Recomds ?
Will Forward what I find ?

Awesome and thanks! :D

 

[tallbm]

Ok I went on my trip and I'm back! I was in the St Louis area (stayed in Chesterfield) for 10 days.
We had a great time there.

I got to try out Pappy's, Salt + Smoke, and Big Woody's BBQ.
I didn't get to try Sugarfire but that's ok.

Pappy's ribs were the best thing I had by a mile for BBQ in St Louis. They are babbyback ribs and the flavor and meat quality are outstanding. Probably the best pork ribs I've eaten at a bbq joint anywhere.
I also had their hot link sausage on the plate and it is not great. Not awful but I would not order a plate of it at like $14+ a pound. It was ok to try as an add on to the plate for a few bucks but I feel like there is no point in getting anything but the pork ribs here.

We went right at lunch time and there was a line and a little bit of a wait but they manage it well and the place is fine and easy to sit and eat at once through the line so no complaints. The building is organized kind of oddly with lots of space that is blocked off or "hidden" that is not used for seating but it didn't affect our experience.


Salt + Smoke was fine and I would eat there if nearby or if anyone wanted to go but it didn't wow me with any bbq. We had St. Louis style ribs, smoked wings, and maybe some other meat I can't remember. The wings were the weakest of the meat options but not bad. The ribs were fine but didn't wow. The bread crostini was fantastic and the brisket au gratin was good to go as well.
So in all great sides and bbq meat we tried that is fine to eat but I don't see it blowing anyone away.

We ate at the one by the ballpark and it was a nicer place and service was great. We then went and watched the Cardinals play the Cubs. The cubs won the game and it was a fun watch.

Big Woody's BBQ had lots of great reviews and we were in the area. They also had smoked pork steak so I had to try it after being told that was the thing to hunt for in St Louis. The pork steak was giant and was ok but again did not blow me away. It had a "unique" seasoning I couldn't place with it like maybe they tried to add a touch of nutmeg or something and it didn't ruin the taste but was something not so standard.
The star was the fried hush puppies called "Hog Ballls" that have a little bit of pulled pork, cheese, and some other stuff in them. They were fantastic! Also as odd as it sounds, the toasted bread at this place was outstanding as well so I imagine their sandwiches are a big hit.
My girlfriend had some brisket and it was not bad but also not so memorable. Get those hog balls if you go in there!

The place is small and max can seat like 12-14 adults. It is kind of an eclectic setup with oddball decorations on the wall and such and the furniture and tables are all old simple things that add to the vibe of the place. So if you are going to eat there you need to go when you can ensure you get a seat since it's kind of small but not a bad place.


That is my pretty quick recap of my BBQ experience there in St. Louis if anyone finds themselves there and wants to try some things out and know what I found good and what to do with their experience. Thanks! :D

 

[ifitsdeadsmokeit]

Looks like you are covered for the best bbq. I agree with most of the above. Dont forget to try the Hill for a large collection of authentic italian restaurants or hit up Napoli. For a good steak head to Annie Gunns.

 

[tallbm]

Looks like you are covered for the best bbq. I agree with most of the above. Dont forget to try the Hill for a large collection of authentic italian restaurants or hit up Napoli. For a good steak head to Annie Gunns.

Will have to do that next time I'm back there :D